“For what? I mean why?” she stumbled.
“After that huge spread, we’re going for a run.”
If on the way we found a quiet spot where I could fuck her, then all the better.
Chapter 14
Bonnie
Deadwater River flowed gently alongside our jogging path, our steps taking us out of town, past the red-brick warehouse where we’d paired off in the game, then onto a mud path.
There wasn’t another soul around. Cliffs lined the way further ahead, and the sun beat down on us.
I’d picked the route with an objective in mind. On the way back, I’d detour to my flat to pick up another pill packet. I was only a few hours late in taking today’s dose. It would be fine.
Elijah pounded the track at my side, matching his pace to mine.
“Is this where you normally run?” he asked.
“Nope. It’s too remote to feel safe on my own. I did it once with Genie. She’s my housemate.” He probably already knew that. I eyed him. “I’m surprised your people let you go out without a bodyguard.”
He laughed. “Told you I’m not rockstar. My face isn’t that well-known. If ever I’m in the press, it’s for boring business events. I don’t make a big public statement about the charities I support or shit like that. I don’t court publicity.”
I wanted to know more about what type of business he was in, but it would break the terms of our agreement for how we handled each other in the first week.
But…
“Can I just check that you’re not into weapons manufacturing or arms dealing?”
“I’m not.”
My running shoes thumped the track. What other terrible business practices were there? “What about drug dealing or people trafficking?”
“Nah.”
“Crypto? Personal data harvesting? Single-use plastics?”
“Still nope.”
“Fine. Then what about one of those pyramid schemes where you sell essential oils or vitamins to mums?”
He gave an outraged snort. “Do I give off ‘CEO of lavender wellness’ energy?”
I shrugged.
He caught my arm. Spun me to face him so we stopped dead on the path.
Deep-brown eyes held mine. I panted for breath, and he’d barely broken a sweat.
“In this moment, all I am is a boy very interested in the girl he was lucky enough to take home. Nothing else matters than that.”
It did matter. It mattered when he brought his mouth to mine for a hungry kiss. It definitely mattered when his hands came around me and threaded into my hair. Then down my back to my ass.
I could easily be crazy about his mouth on mine. The tender way he coaxed pleasure and need from deep inside me. It woke aspects of my sexuality I didn’t know existed. We were in public, for God’s sake. Even if there was no one around right now, anyone could walk by soon.
Elijah picked me up by my thighs without breaking the kiss. I curled my legs around him, needing the friction between my legs or else I would probably pass out.
He pressed his lips to my cheek. “Do me a favour and shut off the big questions and focus on the moment and everything I make you feel, because I can guarantee that I feel the same if not more.”
